Glossary

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Word(s)	Definition
1493	Christopher Columbus brought livestock to the West Indies
1519	Hernando Cortez introduced cattle and sheep to Mexico
1539	Hernando DeSoto brought horses and hogs to Florida
1641	William Pynchon of Massachusetts became the first meat packer to export salt pork
1760	Robert Bakewell in England began breeding animals for specific purposes, developing distinct breeds
1861-1865 The American Civil War	The significant changes the American Civil War brought to animal agriculture in the U.S. 1. The expansion of railroads reduced the need for horses and mules and allowed for livestock to be raised further from where they would be consumed. 2. Refrigerated railcars allowed shipping of meat carcasses to population centers. This meant animals could be raised in one location, processed in another, and consumed in another. 3. Beef became more popular than pork due to improved preservation methods
1862	The Land Grant Act provided public lands for universities to teach agriculture
1872	The Hatch Act established agricultural experiment stations
1914	The Smith-Lever Act created the Cooperative Extension Service
3 R's of animal research	1. Replacement (substitute something else for higher animals) 2. Reduction (reduce the number of animals needed) 3. Refinement (decrease in inhumane procedures)
abolitionists	Animal rights proponents who advocate for the total abandonment of any animal use
abomasum	The true glandular stomach in the ruminant
across-breed EPD (AB-EPD)	A prediction of the difference between the performance of an individual's progeny compared to all contemporaries for that progeny across breeds
accuracy	The measure of reliability associated with an EPD, expressed as a value between 0 and 1; a higher value indicates more information and reliability
active immunity	long-term protection to an infectious agent developed in response to exposure to an infectious agent or a vaccine for a specific disease
acute disease	Sudden or severe in onset and effect on the animal
adaptive immunity	Allows the body to recognize infectious agents it has encountered before and mount a quicker and stronger protective response (also known as acquired immunity)
aggressive behavior	Threatening or harmful behavior towards others of the same or different species
agroecology	Sustainable farming that works with nature
agroforestry	Land-use systems and practices that integrate woody perennials with livestock and/or crops on the same unit
agricultural systems	Determined by a number of factors, including climate, topography, soil type, and socioeconomic issues such as level of economic development, demand for products, political systems, and religions
agriculture	The combination of science and art used to cultivate and grow crops and livestock, and process the products
all-in, all-out animal management	Adding animals to a facility, such as a farrowing house, at the same time, and then removing them at the same time
alleles	One of two or more alternative versions of a gene found at the same location on paired chromosomes
alloenzymatic	Digestion that relies on enzymes produced by microorganisms
ampullary-isthmic junction	The area where the ampulla and isthmus connect, it is considered the site of fertilization
anaerobic	Conditions that lack molecular oxygen
animal behavior	The study of animal welfare assessment, optimizing production, behavioral control, behavioral disorders, and behavioral genetics
animal breeding	The use of biometry and genetics to improve farm animal production
animal health	The study and practice of maintaining animals as near to a constant state of health as is possible and feasible
animal rights	The belief that animals have the right to live free from human use or exploitation
animal science	The combination of disciplines that together comprise the study of domestic animals
animal welfare	An animal's well-being and care while they provide for human needs; humane use
anorexia	Inappetence or unwillingness to eat
anthropomorphism	Attributing human thoughts, emotions, and characteristics to animals
anti-use philosophy	An absolute position that allows no animal use whatsoever
antibodies	Proteins produced by the body that attack and neutralize infectious agents
antimicrobial agent	Natural or synthetic drugs that inhibit or kill bacteria; this capability makes them unique for controlling infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria
applied or production nutritionist	The practical nutritionist. An applied nutritionist addresses practical questions such as cost-effectiveness, delivery methods, and carcass effects.
applied ethology	The study of domestic animal behavior, usually companion species and livestock
artificial insemination (AI)	Placing semen into a female's reproductive tract artificially to achieve pregnancy
artificial selection	Selecting which animals in a population are allowed to reproduce
artificial vagina (AV)	A device used to collect semen from a male
ash	It is a crude measure of the total mineral content of a diet
asymptomatic disease	Disease without signs or symptoms
atresia	The degeneration of follicles that do not make it to the mature stage, otherwise known as the Graafian stage
auditory	Related to hearing
autoenzymatic	Digestion using the animal's own enzymes
autosomes	All chromosomes other than sex chromosomes
aversive event	A negative experience that may be painful, frightening, or nauseating
bacteria	Tiny, single-celled microorganisms that live in almost every environment
bacteriophages	A virus that attacks bacteria
balance trial	A type of metabolism trial designed to determine the retention of a specific nutrient in the body
barter	Trading services or commodities
basic nutritionist	A nutritionist focused on understanding how nutrients are processed and interact in the body
behavioral ecology	The study of the relationships between a species' behavior and its environment
biofuel	Gas or liquid fuel made from biological materials, such as crops and animal waste
biometry	The application of statistics to topics of biology
biopharmaceuticals	Medicines and vaccines made using living organisms
biopharming	The use of genetically-engineered plants or animals to produce valuable medical or therapeutic compounds such as drugs, vaccines, and antibodies; also called pharmaceutical farming or pharming
biopsy	Surgical removal and microscopic examination of a tissue specimen
biotechnology	The use of science and technology to modify or improve animals—or their products—for agricultural, medical, or industrial purposes
blastocyst	A ball of cells that forms early in a pregnancy
body condition score	A tool designed to assess body fat accumulation on an animal
bomb calorimeter	A laboratory instrument used in animal nutrition to measure the total potential energy (gross energy) in feed by burning a dried sample in a sealed, oxygen-rich chamber and measuring the heat released
bolus	A rounded mass of food ready to swallow or regurgitate
breech birth	A butt-first or tail-first presentation of offspring at birth
breed	Animals with common ancestry that have distinguishable characteristics, and when mated with others of the same breed, produce offspring with the same characteristics
breeding soundness examination	A physical examination to determine the readiness of an animal for breeding purposes
breeding value	An individual's worth as a parent
broad ligament	The ligament that keeps the reproductive tract in position
by-products	Valuable materials left over after the primary products have been removed from a carcass
carbohydrates (CHO)	The primary, plant-derived energy source in animal diets, composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
carnivore	An animal that subsists primarily on meat
cash crop	A crop grown specifically with the intent of marketing its product
ceca	(plural of cecum) Two large ceca are present at the junction of the small and large intestine in birds; used to digest fiber
cecotrophy	The process of expelling and consuming mucus-covered soft fecal pellets
cecum	A pouch-like structure at the beginning of the large intestine
cell cloning	Also known as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)
cellulase	An enzyme that digests cellulose
cellulose	A complex carbohydrate that forms plant cell walls and is composed of thousands of glucose molecules
centromere	The region of a chromosome where spindle fibers attach
Charles Darwin	An English naturalist (1809-1882) - he proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection
chromosome	The DNA-containing structures in cells
chronic disease	Disease continuing over a long period or having a gradual effect
chyme	Material consisting of food, saliva, and gastric secretions
civilization	An important contribution of farming to the process of civilization was providing people with the time and lifestyle that led to the development of written language, record-keeping, and artistic endeavors
classical conditioning	A learned response triggered by a neutral stimulus, as demonstrated by Pavlov's famous experiments
clinical infection	An infectious disease with observable signs
clinical sign	An observable difference in an animal's normal function or health
cloaca	The common orifice for waste elimination, copulation, and egg laying in birds
cloning	The process of creating a genetically identical copy of an organism, often using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)
codominance	Both alleles are expressed in the phenotype when present in the heterozygous state
colic	Digestive disturbance, especially in horses
colostrum	The first nutrient-dense milk produced by female mammals immediately after giving birth
combined maternal EPD	A genetic prediction of a bull's ability to produce superior daughters, it reflects the total maternal impact of a cow on her calf's weight
commercial livestock finishing	A further specialization of agriculture, the modification of commercial crop and livestock farming that emerged in the last half of the 20th century
commercial plantation	A form of commercial agriculture that uses large landholdings and labor-intensive practices, most often in developing countries, to produce a single crop for the commercial market
companion animal	An animal with which an owner has an intense emotional tie
comparative method of study	A systematic method of comparing the behavior of different species to understand how and why behaviors occur
comparative psychology	The study of how animals think, learn, and behave, and what that reveals about humans and other species
compost	Decayed organic matter used for fertilizing land
conditioning	The learned response of an animal to a stimulus
conservation	The study of the preservation of nature and of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems
contagious disease	A disease capable of being transmitted from animal to animal
contemporary group	A group of animals of a given sex and age, having similar treatment, are given an equal opportunity to perform
coprophagy	The act of eating feces
corpus luteum (CL)	The ovarian structure responsible for the production of progesterone for the support of pregnancy
cortisol	A stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland, often used to measure an animal's stress levels
cribbing	A behavior in horses where they bite or hold on to objects such as posts
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)	A gene-editing tool that uses a guide RNA and a Cas9 enzyme to find and cut specific DNA sequences
critical period	Similar to sensitive periods, but with a definite beginning and end
crop	In birds, an expandable, muscular pouch located at the base of the neck that serves as a specialized storage area for food before digestion
crop rotation	Planting different crops in a field each year to reduce weeds, disease, and insect pests provides alternative sources of soil nitrogen, reduces soil erosion, and reduces risks of water contamination by agricultural chemicals
crossbreeding	The breeding of two different breeds from the same species to create a new breed
crude fiber (CF)	In proximate analysis, the insoluble carbohydrates remaining in a feed after boiling in acid and alkali
crude protein (CP)	An estimate of protein content obtained by multiplying the nitrogen content of a substance by 6.25
culture	The set of occupational activities, economic structures, beliefs/values, social forms and material traits that define our actions and activities
dairy herd improvement (DHI) system	A national record-keeping and data analysis program that helps dairy farmers monitor, manage, and improve the health, milk production, and genetics of their herds
dairy product science	The science of providing milk and milk products as food
defecation	Expelling fecal matter from the large intestine via the rectum or cloaca
Deglutition	Swallowing
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)	The molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all organisms
developed agriculture types	To earn a profit by engaging in agriculture, this includes: 1. livestock ranching 2. commercial grain farming 3. commercial livestock and grain farming 4. commercial livestock finishing 5. commercial dairy farming 6. commercial plantation 7. specialized horticulture 8. Mediterranean agriculture 9. market gardening 10. aquaculture
diagnosis	The process of determining the nature and severity of a disease or distinguishing one disease from another
diagnostician	An expert on diagnosing disease
dichromat	The ability to perceive only two colors
diet	All the feeds being consumed by an animal, including water.
dietary essential nutrient	A nutrient required for normal physiological function that must be obtained from the diet.
digestion	The physical, chemical, and enzymatic breakdown of feed for absorption
digestion trial	An experimental tool used to determine the digestibility of a specific feedstuff, nutrient, or ration
digestibility	The degree to which a feedstuff can be chemically simplified and absorbed by the digestive system of the body
diploid	Having two sets of chromosomes
direct cause of disease	Exposure to or contact with pathogens or other substances that cause a decrease in animal health
disease	An abnormal condition that prevents the body from functioning normally, causing specific signs or symptoms
disease-resistant animals	Genetically modified or selectively bred animals that are less susceptible to infections
diversification	A farm with multiple income-generating enterprises enhancing its biological and economic stability
DNA ligase	An enzyme that acts as a "molecular glue" to join broken or separate pieces of DNA together
DNA polymerase	An enzyme that acts as a cell's builder for DNA
DNA replication	The cellular process of making a copy of a DNA molecule
Dolly	The first cloned sheep produced through nuclear transfer from differentiated adult sheep cells
domestic animals	Animal species that have been brought under human control and that have adapted to life with humans
dominance	An animal's rank within a social group, where the most dominant individual has the greatest influence over others
dominant	One member of a gene pair is expressed to the exclusion of the other
donor	The female from whom fertilized embryos are nonsurgically collected during the embryo transfer process
downer cow	A nonambulatory cow
draft	To move loads by drawing or pulling.
draft animal	An animal whose major purpose is to perform work that involves hauling or pulling
drylot	A confined area generally equipped with feed troughs, automatic watering devices, shelter, and working facilities where animals are fed and managed
dry matter	Everything in a feed other than water
duodenum	The first segment of the small intestine
dystocia	Difficulty giving birth
ecology	The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment
economic Indexes	A numerical value that ranks animals based on their overall genetic potential for profitability
electric prods	Small handheld devices designed to give an electrical shock to animals
embryo transfer (ET)	The process of transferring fertilized embryos from one female to another female
endemic	A disease or condition regularly found among animals of a particular population or in a certain area
energy	The potential to perform work
enucleated	A cell with the nucleus removed that is used in cell cloning
environmentalism	A movement and ideology that aims to reduce the impact of human activities on the Earth
enzymes	Specialized proteins that act as biological catalysts
epididymis	The duct connecting the testis with the ductus deferens and is responsible for sperm storage, transport, and maturation

episodic	The pulsatile manner in which the gonadotropic hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. Controlled by the pulse-generating center of the brain
epistasis	One gene masks, inhibits, or modifies the expression of another, separate gene
ructation	Belching that removes gas from the rumen
ES cells (Embryonic Stem Cells)	Stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, an early-stage embryo
essential amino acids	Amino acids required by the body that must be consumed in the animal's diet
essential fatty acids	Fatty acids required in an animal's diet
estrous cycle	The time from one period of sexual receptivity in the female (estrus or heat) to the next
estrus	The period when a female is receptive to mating; synonymous with heat
ether extract	In proximate analysis, the portion of a sample that is removed by extraction with a fat solvent
ethogram	A catalog or inventory of all of the behaviors an animal exhibits in its natural environment
ethology	The study of animal behavior in natural surroundings, focusing on instinctive or innate behavior
expected progeny difference (EPD)	A prediction of the future progeny performance of one individual compared to another individual within a breed for a specific trait, it is equal to half the breeding value
expression	The manifestation of a characteristic that is specified by a gene
extensive agriculture	Agriculture systems practiced in a manner that spreads human time and attention across vast acreages and/or large numbers of animals
extensive rearing systems	A low-intervention management style where hardy animals, such as beef cattle, receive minimal individual care and may only be handled once or twice a year
farmer	Anyone who practices agriculture by managing and cultivating livestock and/or crops
fats	Also called lipids. They are a concentrated nutrient that serves as the primary long-term energy storage in animals, providing over twice the energy per gram compared to carbohydrates or proteins.
feed analysis	The laboratory testing of livestock feed to measure nutrient levels, ensuring the feed meets the specific dietary needs of animals
feed efficiency	A measure of how effectively an animal converts feed into products like meat, milk, or eggs
feeding trail	An experimental tool used to measure how animals perform on specific diets or feed additives.
feedstuff	Any substance that is used as animal feed.
fermentation	The enzymatic decomposition of feedstuffs by microbes
finishing (phase)	The final feeding stage when animals are ready for market
flight zone	The distance that an animal is caused to flee from an intruder
flighty	The tendency of an animal to take sudden flight when alarmed; also called mobile alarm
flocking instinct	A type of shelter-seeking behavior that has been selected for in sheep; at the least hint of danger, they move close together and move as a group
flow cytometer	AN instrument used to differentiate and separate X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm in amounts suitable for AI
flushing	Feeding extra feed to stimulate estrus and ovulation rates
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)	The gonadotropic hormone responsible for growth, development, and maintenance of follicles in females, and the production of sperm in males. Produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in a pulsatile manner in response to GnRH
folliculogenesis	The maturation of the ovarian follicle
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)	The largest autonomous agency within the United Nations. FAO works to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development
forestomachs	The three ruminant digestive compartments before the true stomach
founder	A transgenic animal that is subsequently used to establish a transgenic line of animals
freemartin	A condition in cattle in which a female calf is born as a twin with a bull calf, and as a result, is infertile
gametes	The reproductive cells: sperm in the male and the egg or ova in the female
gametogenesis	The formation of gametes
gene	The basic unit of heredity, composed of DNA sequences located on chromosomes
gene editing	The modification of a cell's DNA to introduce beneficial traits; uses technologies like CRISPR
gene enhancement	The intentional, high-tech alteration of an animal's DNA to enhance specific traits, such as faster growth, better disease resistance, or higher productivity
gene frequency	A measure of how common a specific version of a gene is within a population
gene mapping	The process of determining the specific location and relative positions of genes on a chromosome
gene silencing	The inhibition of a gene's expression through natural or artificial means
gene therapy	Transferring specific genes into mammalian cells with the goal of treating genetic disorders
generational interval	The average age of animals within a species when their first offspring are born
genetic code	The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA sequences) is translated into proteins (amino acid sequences) by living cells
genetic correlation	The measure of how much two different traits share the same underlying genetic causes
genetic drift	Random changes in gene frequency within a population
genetic engineering	The direct modification of an organism's DNA using biotechnology; often done to introduce new traits, to improve resistance to disease, or to produce beneficial products
genetic merit	Inherited productivity of performance qualities
genetic testing	Using a variety of laboratory techniques to determine if an animal has, or is likely to get, a genetic condition or disease
genetically modified organism (GMO)	An organism whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques; any organism that has been modified by altering one or more genes using recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) technology
genetics	The scientific study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics
genome	The complete genetic material of an organism
genotype	The genetic makeup of an organism
genotypic frequency	The frequency with which a particular genotype occurs in a population
gizzard	(Ventriculus) or a highly specialized, muscular grinding organ
gonads	Sex organs: testis in males, ovaries in females
Green Revolution	Dramatic improvements in grain production in developing countries during the 1960s to the 1980s because of technological innovation and application
growth	The increase in an animal's size, weight, or tissue mass (muscle and bone) over time, generally from conception to maturity
habituation learning	A type of operant conditioning; an animal's ability to come to ignore something that occurs often
handling	Any manipulation necessary to care for or evaluate animals; it may or may not include physically touching them
haploid	A cell with half of the usual number of chromosomes. Sex cells are haploid
herbivore	An animal that eats only plant material
heredity	The transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring
herd or flock health management program	A comprehensive herd or flock-specific program of health management
heritability	The proportion of differences between individuals that is genetic
heterosis	The tendency of a crossbred individual to show qualities superior to those of both parents
heterozygous	Two different versions of a gene in a pair, one inherited from each parent
hides	Animal skins
high heritability (0.4-0.6)	These traits show little heterosis - carcass merit, composition, and fleece traits
homologous chromosomes	Chromosomes with the same size and shape, occurring in pairs, and affecting the same traits
homozygous	Two identical versions of a gene in a pair, one inherited from each parent
hunter-gatherer	A group of people who support their needs by hunting game, fishing, and gathering edible and medicinal plants
hybridoma	A lab-created cell that fuses antibody-producing cells with tumor cells; primarily used to produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
hydroponics	A method of growing plants in water rather than in soil
hypothalamus	The area of the brain responsible for maintaining internal balance (homeostasis) by acting as the body's main control center
ileum	The last portion of the small intestine
in vitro	In a test tube or other environment outside the body
inbreeding	The mating of closely related individuals
inbreeding depression	A loss or reduction in vigor, viability, or production that usually accompanies inbreeding
incomplete dominance	A condition in the heterozygote where both genes are expressed in a way different from either homozygous condition
inheritance	The transfer of gene-containing chromosomes from parent to offspring
inner cell mass	A group of cells found within the blastocyst stage of embryonic development, a source of ES cells
imprint learning	A process where a newborn animal forms a strong, lasting bond with the first moving object it sees
infectious disease	An illness caused by germs that invade and multiply in or on the body and cause damage
inflammation	The body’s natural reaction to injury, infection, or irritation; the body part becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and painful
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)	A board that reviews research protocols to ensure they meet animal welfare standards
integrated pest management	An approach to managing pests that combines multiple strategies to reduce the need for pesticides
intensive agriculture	Any agriculture system in which much human attention and focus is directed to a small plot of land or to each animal
jejunum	The second and longest portion of the small intestine
Jeremy Bentham	(1789) - British theorist and philosopher who argued that the ability to suffer entitles animals to legal rights
Judeo-Christian philosophy	The basis for pro-animal use in the Western world, it is tied to the concept of human dominion over animals
lesion	Abnormal body tissue caused by injury or disease
libido	Sexual drive
lifestyle	The way a person or group lives
limiting amino acid	The essential amino acid present in the diet at the lowest level relative to the animal's requirement
linebreeding	The selective breeding of animals for a desired feature involves mating them within a closely related line
Livestock Revolution	Large increases in supply and demand of livestock and animal products worldwide at the end of the 20th century and into the 21st century
locus	The specific location of a gene on a chromosome
lordosis	The posture assumed by females in estrus is standing still and accepting pressure on their backs
low heritability (0-0.2)	These traits show high levels of heterosis such as reproductive traits
luteinizing hormone (LH)	A gonadotropic hormone that triggers ovulation in females and stimulates testosterone production in males
luteolysis	The breakdown or degeneration of the corpus luteum. Occurs at the end of the luteal phase of the estrous cycle if pregnancy is not detected
maintenance	The nutritional needs of the animal, exclusive of those required for a productive function such as growth, work, milk, or production
marker-assisted selection	Using DNA analysis to identify specific genes and improve the accuracy of selection
market gardening	Specialized production of fruits, vegetables, or vine crops for sale
mastication	Chewing
maternal effect	Any environmental influence that the dam contributes to the phenotype of her offspring
maternal EPDs	In beef cattle, it includes the Milk EPD (expected difference in calf weaning weight due to dam's mothering ability/milk production) and the Combined Maternal EPD (reflects both milking ability and direct weaning growth transmitted through daughters)
meat	The flesh of animals used for food
meat science	The science of handling, distributing, and marketing meat and meat products. The study of meat, including its production, preparation, and preservation
meiosis	The process that forms sex cells. Cells formed through meiosis have half the chromosomes of the parent cells
messenger RNA (mRNA)	The nucleic acid that carries instructions to a ribosome for the synthesis of a particular protein
metabolism trial	An advanced form of a digestion trial that measures the body's use of nutrients
micropropagation	a biotechnology that takes cells of a desired plant and uses them to generate genetically identical plants
micturation	Urination
migration	Introducing new breeding stock into a population
milk EPD	The expected difference in calf weaning weight due to the dam's mothering ability/milk production
minerals	A specific set of inorganic elements that has been established as necessary for life in one or more animal species.
mitosis	The process of somatic cell division
moderate heritability (0.2-0.4)	These traits show moderate levels of heterosis, such as growth traits
monoculture	Producing only one crop or livestock species
monoestrus	Exhibiting only one estrous cycle per year or breeding season
monogastric	An animal with one stomach, a nonruminant
monoploidy	Having a single set of chromosomes
morula	The early-stage embryo, after cell division
mutation	A permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism
natural selection	Animals better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring
necropsy	The examination of an animal's body after death
net merit dollars (NM$)	An economic index calculated by the USDA that measures the relative lifetime profit of a dairy cow
nitrogen-free extract (NFE)	In proximate analysis, a measure of readily available carbohydrates calculated by subtracting all measured proximate components from 100
nose tongs	A small clamp-like restraining device put in an animal's nose
nutrient	A chemical substance that provides nourishment to the body. Essential nutrients are those necessary for normal maintenance, growth, and functioning
nutrient density	A measurement of the nutrients found in a food compared to the caloric content
nutrient requirement	A set of nutrient amounts or concentrations that is needed to maintain health or prevent disease for various species of animals commonly used in agriculture, research, and companion animals
nutrition	The study of the body's needs and mechanisms of acquiring, digesting, transporting, and metabolizing nutrients
olfactory	Relating to the sense of smell
omasum	The third compartment of the ruminant stomach (found in cows, sheep, and goats) that acts as a filter and absorbs water, electrolytes, and VFAs while reducing feed particle size. Many folds
omnivore	An animal that eats both plant matter and meat
oocyte	The gamete from the female
operant or instrumental conditioning	Learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior
organic agriculture	A farming method that avoids synthetic pesticides and artificial fertilizers
outbreeding	Mating of unrelated or distantly related individuals
ovulation	The release of the ova or egg from the ovary
pacifier cow	A cow that has been trained to accept moving, restraint, and other types of handling
palatability	The acceptability of a feed or ration to livestock
papillae	Small fingerlike projections that greatly increase the surface area of the small intestine
parent average	An estimate of a young dairy cow’s genetic merit, calculated as the average of its sire's and dam's genetic evaluations
parity	The number of times a female has given birth (a litter counts as one birth)
parturition	Giving birth
passive immunity	Temporary protection against disease provided by antibodies produced outside the animal's own immune system — for example, the antibodies passed from mother to offspring through colostrum
pastoralism	Herding grazing animals
pathogen	Any disease-producing microorganism; germs
pathogenicity	An organism's capability to produce disease
pathology	The branch of medicine that studies the nature of disease
per capita	Per unit of population
percentile	The percentage of individuals in a group who have achieved a certain quantity or developmental milestone
peristalsis	Progressive muscular contractions that move material through the digestive tract
pesticides	Any agent or poison used to destroy pests, including fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and rodenticides
Peter Singer	1975 - wrote the book, Animal Liberation; if a being can suffer, its suffering deserves equal consideration to similar suffering in any other being, regardless of species; he had a tremendous influence on modern animal rights philosophy
pharmacogenomics	A branch of pharmacology that looks at how a variation in animal genetics leads to a variation in response to drugs
pharming	Using transgenic livestock to produce biologically active pharmaceuticals for human medicine
phenotype	The set of observable characteristics, traits, or physical features of an animal
phenotypic value	The measured or observed amount of a specific trait in an individual
phenotypic frequency	The proportion of individuals in a population that express a particular phenotype
phobia	Excessive and unwarranted fear
physiology	The study of the physical and chemical processes of an animal or any of the body systems or cells of the animal
pica	A craving for and willingness to eat unnatural feedstuffs
pituitary gland	The small, master gland located at the base of the brain in vertebrates
placenta	The organ that surrounds the fetus and unites it to the female while it develops in the uterus
plasmid	A small circular DNA molecule found in bacteria and other microscopic organisms
polyestrus	Exhibiting more than one estrous cycle per year or breeding season
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)	A molecular biology technique used to amplify DNA
polyploidy	Having more than two full sets of chromosomes
population genetics	The study of how gene and genotypic frequencies change, and change the genetic merit of a population
Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS)	A genetic defect in which heavily muscled pigs have poor carcass quality and may die when subjected to stress
possible change	The measure of the potential error associated with EPD values
postpartum	After parturition
postpartum interval	The period of time from parturition to the first estrus
predicted transmitting ability (PTA)	An estimate of the genetic merit a dairy bull will pass on to its offspring compared to the breed average
predicted transmitting ability net merit dollars	An economic index that measures the relative lifetime profit of a dairy cow
predisposing cause of disease	Any condition that makes an animal more likely to get sick
pregnancy toxemia	A form of ketosis that occurs in late pregnancy because the female cannot eat enough of the feed she is provided, or is not provided enough feed
prehension	Seizing and grasping food, the first step of digestion
primitive agriculture	Subsistence agriculture, but supplemented with non-agricultural food sources such as hunting and gathering
principle of independent assortment	Mendel's second law. The alleles for different traits are inherited independently of one another during the formation of gametes
principle of segregation	An organism has two alleles for each gene, but only passes one of those alleles to each offspring
prion	Infectious, abnormally folded proteins that cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
production	The general term that describes the output of usable products and services by animals.
progesterone	A female sex steroid produced by the ovaries
prostaglandin	A group of fatty acid hormones, one of which is prostaglandin F2alpha, which breaks down the corpus luteum, allowing the female to return to estrus
protein	Essential nitrogen-containing compounds composed of long chains of amino acids, acting as the primary building blocks for an animal's body
protozoa	Single-celled organisms that can be parasitic
pro-use philosophy	A stance on animal use that can change as social expectations and scientific understanding evolve
proventriculus	The glandular stomach in fowl; the site of gastric juice (HCl and pepsin) production
proximate analysis	A set of traditional chemical/analytical procedures designed to partition feedstuffs into various nutrient components, including water, ash, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract.
puberty	The transition from reproductive immaturity to maturity, which varies by species but is mainly influenced by age and weight
qualitative traits	Traits, such as coat color, that can be classified into groups
quality grade	The scale that indicates the quality and value of the carcass, such as prime or choice
quantitative traits	Traits that are numerically measured and are usually controlled by many genes, each having a small effect, such as milk or egg production
rate of gain	The pounds an animal gains per day over a specified period
ration	The specific feed allotment given to an animal in a 24-hour period. The use of the term ration should be in conjunction with specific quantities of feed.
reassortment	The mixing of genes from two different viruses to create a new virus
recessive	The member of a gene pair that is only expressed when the dominant allele is absent from the animal's genome
recipients	Females used to carry the embryos of a donor animal throughout gestation
recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST)	Synthetic bovine growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology and given to dairy cows to increase milk production
recombinant DNA (rDNA)	A combination of DNA molecules from different biological sources
recombinant DNA technology	Joining together DNA molecules from two different species
reformists	Animal rights proponents who focus on changing and improving the methods of animal use to make them more humane
reliability	A measure of accuracy for dairy records and evaluations
renewable resources	Resources that can be replaced or produced by natural ecological cycles or management systems
reproductive cloning	Cloning that uses SCNT technology to create identical animals for research, agriculture, or conservation
resistance	The natural ability of an animal to remain unaffected by pathogens, toxins, irritants, or poisons
restriction enzyme	An enzyme used to recognize a specific DNA sequence and cut it to produce DNA fragments
reticulum	The second, smaller, honeycomb-lined stomach compartment of ruminants acts as a filter and fermentation chamber, helping to break down fibrous foods
ribonucleic acid (RNA)	A vital molecule that acts as a messenger, carrying instructions from DNA to direct the synthesis of proteins
ribosomes	A component of cells that contains protein and tRNA and synthesizes proteins
RNA interference	A lab technique used to target specific mRNA molecules for degradation
rudimentary sedentary tillage	Permanent, small-scale subsistence farming where farmers cultivate the same plot of land continuously, rather than moving between locations
rumen	The largest of the ruminant forestomachs. Contains microorganisms that degrade complex carbohydrates, produce volatile fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins
ruminal bloat	An overdistention of the rumen with fermentation gases, also called tympany
ruminant	Hooved animals with a rumen that chew their cud
rumination	Regurgitating, remastication, and reswallowing rumen contents (chewing the cud)
salivation	Secretion of saliva from the salivary glands
savanna	Tall-grass vegetation belts in the hot areas of the world. The same zone found in temperate zones is referred to as prairie.
secondary sex characteristics	Characteristics that differentiate the sexes from each other
selection	The process where animals with advantageous genetic traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those specific genes to the next generation
selection differential	The phenotypic advantage of those chosen to be parents.
selection index	Equations commonly used in swine breeding to simultaneously evaluate two or more traits based on their economic value and selection objectives
self-sufficient	Providing for one's own needs
semen	Fluid from the male that contains sperm from the testis and other secretions
sensitive periods	Times in an animal's life when certain types of learning are more easily accomplished
Sentient	Creatures that experience or are capable of experiencing pain and pleasure
serologic screening	Antibody identification in blood serum that indicates an immune response against an infectious agent
seropositive	A level of antibodies in the serum that indicates previous exposure to a microbial agent, either through infection or vaccination
sex-influenced inheritance	The same genotype is expressed differently depending on the sex of the animal
sex-limited traits	Traits expressed in one sex or the other, but both sexes carry genes for the trait. Milk production is an example.
sex-linked inheritance	Traits inherited on the X or Y chromosome and are inherited only when that respective chromosome is passed on
shelter-seeking behavior	Behaviors animals exhibit to escape from weather, insects, or danger
shifting cultivation	Farmers clear small plots of land, farm them for a few years until the land's fertility declines, then abandon that plot and clear another
single-trait selection	Selection for only one trait or characteristic
sire summary	Publications from breed associations that include EPDs, accuracies, breed averages, and other genetic information on available sires
slash-and-burn agriculture	The practice of clearing a plot of land from the forest by cutting the trees and shrubs and then burning them. Ash from burning fertilizes the soil.
small intestine	Where absorption primarily occurs, divided into: Duodenum, Jejunum, and Ileum
social structure	The organization of a group
sociobiology	The study of the biological aspects of social behavior in animals and humans
somatic cell	All cells in the body other than gametes
somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)	A process in which a diploid nucleus from a donor cell is transferred into an enucleated recipient egg
speciesism	Placing the interests of one species above those of another
squeeze chute	A restraining device used to handle livestock
STAGES (Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System)	A performance resource developed by the National Swine Registry to help improve the genetics of pigs by calculating traits and predicting genetic value
starch	A complex carbohydrate produced by plants, and they serve as a primary, high-energy feed component
steppes	Short-grass vegetation zones. Steppe vegetation accounts for most of the land area of the world devoted to range livestock production
stereotyped behavior	A nonfunctional, repetitive, intentional, and often rhythmic behavior
stress	A physical, emotional, or chemical factor causing body or mental strain or tension
subclinical infection	A disease that shows no obvious symptoms
submissive behavior	Behaviors a less-dominant animal exhibits toward a more-dominant animal to prevent being subjected to aggression
subsistence agriculture types	1. subsistence crop and livestock farming 2. paddy rice farming (intensive subsistence tillage with paddy rice) 3. peasant grain, tuber, and livestock farming (intensive subsistence tillage without paddy rice) 4. urban agriculture 5. aquaculture
sustainable agriculture	Farming that meets today's needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs
symbiosis	A relationship where dissimilar organisms live in close association. If the relationship is beneficial to both, it is referred to as mutualism. (Symbiotic relationship)
temperament	An animal's nature
testcross	Mating with a fully recessive tester animal to determine if an individual is homozygous or heterozygous
testosterone	The male steroid sex hormone
therapeutic cloning	Cloning that uses SCNT technology for the isolation of embryonic stem cells

Tom Reagan	1983 - Subject-of-a-Life (S-O-L): animals, like humans, who have beliefs, desires, memory, a sense of the future, and an emotional life, are subjects-of-a-life and possess inherent value; he had a tremendous influence on modern animal rights philosophy
total performance index (TPI)	An economic index used by the Holstein Association to rank sires based on a balance of production and type traits
toxin	A poisonous compound produced by microorganisms, plants, or animals
transfection	The process of introducing foreign DNA (or RNA) into animal cells using chemicals
transfer RNA (tRNA)	A small RNA molecule that acts as an adapter during protein synthesis, bridging the gap between messenger RNA (mRNA) and amino acids
transgenic	An animal or plant that has had DNA from an external source inserted into its genetic code
transgenic animal	An animal that carries genes from another species, typically used for research, medicine, or agriculture
transgenic organism	A term used to refer to genetically modified animals
transhumance	The practice of moving animals seasonally from a permanent base to more abundant feed and water and then returning to the permanent base when the season changes.
trisomy	A genetic abnormality where a cell contains three copies of a specific chromosome instead of the normal two
type production index (TPI)	Values that are used to evaluate and rank individual bulls for their ability to transmit production and type to their daughters
ultrasonic scan measures	Measurements of body tissues taken with an ultrasound machine
undernourished	Receiving inadequate nourishment for proper health and growth
urban agriculture	Agriculture is integrated into the urban economic and ecological system; vegetables, fruit, herbs, ornamental plants, meat, eggs, and milk are commonly raised in backyards
utilitarianism	The greatest good for the greatest number; equal weight to similar interests regardless of species
vaccination	An inoculation given to stimulate the immune system to protect against future infection
Van Soest method	A laboratory analysis developed by P.J. Van Soest that provides a method to further partition fiber components within feeds using neutral and acid detergents
vector	An animal, usually an arthropod, that transfers an infectious agent from one host to another OR a DNA vehicle used to carry foreign genetic material into another cell
vegan	A person who does not eat any food derived from animals or other animal products
ventriculus	A highly specialized, muscular grinding organ that is also known as the gizzard
veterinary feed directive	Written authorization from a licensed veterinarian is required for the use of certain antimicrobial drugs in animal feed
villi	Small fingerlike projections increase the surface area of the small intestine
virulence	Degree of pathogenicity
Vitamin	Essential organic compounds that animals need in small amounts to function, grow, and develop normally
volatile fatty acid (VFA)	A product of ruminal fermentation that is absorbed and supplies 50-70% of ruminant energy requirements
wool	The fiber that grows instead of hair on the bodies of sheep
wool chewing	Often referred to as wool pulling, sheep nibble at their fleece and make bald spots
wool sucking	A prolonged sucking syndrome most frequently observed in cats, where they continue to suck on objects
work	Physical exertion as a production function
xenotransplantation	The use of organs from genetically engineered animals that are transplanted into humans
zoonotic	The ability to be passed from animals to humans
zygote	A cell resulting from the fusion of the sperm and the oocyte

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